A short drive from D.C. lets you trade in the city for the forests, waterfalls and wildlife of Shenandoah National Park. National Park Service

Native Americans, hunters, homesteaders, loggers and now vacationers have all sought refuge among the Blue Ridge Mountains of the park. Steven Heap Getty Images/iStockphoto

From fishing mountain streams to hiking Chimney Rock, there is no shortage of outdoor activities throughout the 300 square miles of Virginia landscape. National Park Service

Whether trying your hand, or footing, on parts of the Appalachian Trail, or scrambling to the summit of Old Rag Mountain, the park offers hundreds of hiking miles for visitors of varying ability. National Park Service

Check the trail maps for a description of each trail and difficulty level to help plan your adventure. John F. Mitchell

Keep an eye out as you go for the many white-tailed deer throughout the park. John F. Mitchell

Be sure to include one of the many waterfalls scattered throughout the park as part of your itinerary. lenzjona Getty Images/iStockphoto

Waterfall hikesrange from a short 2.6 mile roundtrip visit to Rose River Falls, to all day excursions to Overall Run Falls – the tallest waterfall in the park at 93 feet. National Park Service

Visitors can also explore over 180 miles of park trails by horseback, or set out for the backcountry laden with a tent, sleeping bag and provisions to truly retreat into the depths of the Shenandoah wilderness. NPS.gov

To capture the essence of the entire park, a trip along Skyline Drive showcases the park's points of interest, brilliant overlooks, wildlife and abundant wildflower displays along its roadside. Nikki Fox AP

The views from Skyline Drive's overlooks can be spectacular in any season. Eileen Ryan USA TODAY

A 105 mile jaunt along the Blue Ridge Mountains, Skyline Drive is the only public road in the park and is accessible from all four entrances. Getty Images/iStockphoto

At 35mph, expect to take at least three hours to complete the drive, or plan for a day long excursion if you intend to photograph wild turkey or stop to smell the azaleas. National Parks Service

From resort accommodations to tent camping to rustic cabins, Shenandoah National Park offers visitors a variety of options to extend their stay in the Shenandoah wilderness. National Park Service

If you prefer to commune with nature from a tent, stay at one of a handful of maintained campground such as Loft Mountain Campground, which makes a great home base for exploring nearby waterfalls and a number of hiking trails in the Big Run Wilderness area. National Park Service

Once teeming with American Bison, elk, beaver and other native species, populations of wild residents were diminished or all-together eliminated from the Shenandoah Valley as European settlers moved into the region. Ben Klaus Getty Images

Now a refuge for re-introduced and recovered species, as well as those pressured by development of the surrounding urban areas, the park offers visitors opportunities to observe white-tailed deer, groundhogs, even black bears (hopefully from a safe distance). Robert M. Kuhns/National Park Service

Year-round and migratory birds also call the park home including red-tailed hawks and Downy Woodpeckers. National Park Service